While hundreds of people from the Narmada Valley continues the dharna (sit
in) in front of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in New
Delhi, watching the decision of the Rehabilitation and Environment Sub
Groups of Narmada Control Authority, former Prime Minister Shri. V.P.Singh
has expressed the hope that people's lives will not be sacrificed in the
pursuit of development. In a statement issued today (8.2.2002) he noted
that, "unless they are properly rehabilitated according to the law, the dam
height should not be raised". He warned that, "any further construction of
dam at this stage will be in isolation of human rights and fundamental
rights guaranteed by the Constitution. That also will be in violation of
Supreme Court orders".

A few dozens of representatives from the valley stormed the Ministry of
Environment asking for an audience with the Environment Sub Group (ESG),
which was being held in the Ministry. While in a meeting with them, the
Chairman of ESG Shri.Jayakrishnan, was told that the environmental
mitigatory measures are not done beyond papers. He was reminded that the
conditional environmental clearance for Sardar Sarovar Project has lapsed
years back.

In an official meeting with a delegation of Narmada Bachao Andolan, led by
Medha Patkar, Minster for Environment Shri.T.R.Balu, assured that he will
not allow to take any decision without reviewing the situation of
environmental conditions. He also promised that some field level
verifications and studies would be carried out in the Sardar Sarovar
submergence area. He expressed concern about the "human element" and
supported the land based rehabilitation package (and not cash based).

Noted human rights activist and former Supreme Court judge, Jst (Retd)
V.R.Krishna Iyer, in a letter to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister,
Shri.Digvijay Singh, expressed surprise that "your Government is party to
raising the dam height from 90 m to 100 m. This will be inhumanity in the
absence of alternative provision for land. This would be injustice,
violative of the order of Supreme Court which may entail serious
consequences. He urged Shri. Singh to "stop construction beyond 90 m, a
misadventure absent rehabilitatory provision".

Late last evening, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment,
Shri.Satyanarayan Jatiya met Medha Patkar and a few others to discuss the
situation of rehabilitation. After a patient hearing of the delegation, he
agreed that land for land should be mandatory for rehabilitation. He
assured that he will keep in mind the ground reality while taking any decision.

One may remember that hundreds of representatives of Narmada Valley stormed
the gates of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment yesterday
(7.2.2002), asking for an audience with the concerned Sub Groups of Narmada
Control Authority, which were meeting today, under political pressure. They
also have come to watch the Sub Groups' decisions, which is very crucial to
the lives and livelihood of thousands of families in the valley. Braving
the winter, people stayed in open, in front of the Ministry. Any further
construction would script doom to over 6000 families.

Several prominent citizens and representatives of people's movements and
other NGOs have expressed solidarity with the people, with their active
participation in the agitation.